August 1, 2026
Do you struggle with unwanted hair, constant ingrowns, or irritation from razor burn? After years of shaving, waxing, or sugaring, many patients eventually decide they’re ready for something longer-lasting: laser hair reduction. At Kansas Plastic Surgery, we use Diolaze XL to help reduce unwanted hair on various treatment areas, including the underarms, legs, bikini line, full Brazilian, and more. But getting great results starts long before your appointment. Here are a few ways to prepare for your first treatment!
Before you ever sign on the dotted line, take the time to find a qualified healthcare professional with experience treating patients with your hair type, skin tone, and desired treatment area. Look for a practice led by a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon, and don’t hesitate to schedule consultations with multiple providers before making your decision. Feeling comfortable and confident with your provider is just as important as the technology they will use for your treatment. During your consultation, be prepared to:
Healthy skin makes for a better laser hair reduction experience. In the weeks leading up to your appointment, avoid tanning outdoors or in tanning beds, and skip the self-tanner, too. Even sunless tanning products can alter your skin tone, making it more difficult for your provider to safely customize your treatment. If you’ll be spending time outside, protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher. And if you happen to show up with a sunburn? Your provider will likely recommend rescheduling your appointment until your skin has healed.
If waxing, tweezing, or plucking is part of your normal routine, it’s time to hit pause. Because these methods remove the hair from the follicle, there’s nothing left for the laser to target. For the best possible results, stop waxing or plucking 6 weeks before your first treatment and avoid these methods throughout your treatment plan. If you need to remove hair between appointments, shaving is perfectly okay—and actually recommended, as it’s a great way to naturally exfoliate the skin.
Plan to shave the treatment area about 24 hours before your appointment. This leaves the hair follicle intact beneath the skin while removing the hair above the surface, allowing the laser to target the follicle more effectively. When longer hairs are left above the skin, they absorb more of the laser’s energy, which can create additional heat and discomfort during your appointment. Shaving beforehand helps keep the laser focused where it belongs: at the hair follicle beneath the skin.
Know Before You Go! Avoid shaving immediately before your appointment if possible, as freshly shaved skin may be more sensitive during treatment.
On the day of your appointment, arrive with clean skin on the treatment area, free of lotions, oils, makeup, deodorant, or sunscreen, unless your provider instructs otherwise. These products can interfere with treatment and may need to be removed before your session begins. While your outfit won’t affect the treatment itself, loose-fitting clothing can make your appointment much more comfortable. It’s normal to experience mild redness or sensitivity afterward, and breathable fabrics can help minimize irritation as your skin settles.
